Bulgaria halts South Stream following EC request

Bulgarian Prime Mimister Plamen Oresharski halted all work on the South Stream Gas Pipeline project, following an official request issued by the EU, the Bulgarian newswire Novinite reported June 9. 

“We have received a request from the European Commission, after which I ordered the works suspended,” said Oresharski, as cited by the newswire. “Further actions will be clear after additional consultations with Brussels.”

The Bulgarian prime minister also explained that Bulgaria would only proceed with the South Stream Gas Pipeline after complying with the EU recommendations and specifying clear implementation terms.

When asked whether the companies participating in the construction of the South Stream woukd receive any penalties, the prime minister said that the European Commission had made an official enquiry and that the course of the upcoming consultation with the companies’ representatives would determine the next steps.

Sabine Berger, a spokesperson for EU energy commissioner Gunther Oettinger, said that Brussels welcomes the Bulgarian decision, and that European Commission is ready to further discuss the South Stream Gas Pipeline project with Bulgarian authorities.

“This is an important step in response to the concerns raised by the European Commission last week,” said Berger, as cited by the newswire.

Nevertheless, Bulgaria’s Minister of Energy Dragomir Stoynev stated that he believes the South Stream project would eventually move forward.

“If we look at the situation strategically and without emotions, the South Stream project looks irreversible and important for both Europe and Bulgaria,” said Stoynev, as cited by the newswire. “I am convinced that all pending issues will eventually find a solution.”

Bulgaria’s decision to freeze the South Stream Gas Pipeline project was met with criticism in Russia. Ilian Vassilev, a former Bulgarian ambassador to Moscow and an energy consultant, stated that by halting the project Bulgaria’s PM wants to stop his critics only and nothing more.

“Bulgaria’s prime minister made a political statement to appease his foreign and domestic critics but he still needs cabinet’s approval before he can freeze the project finally,” said Vassilev, as cited by the Bulgarian newswire. “A lot of the country’s political and business interests are reliant on South Stream going ahead, so the government is looking very fragile over the issue.”